My shower is old, and ideally should be replaced. It's stained, and never looks very clean, even when just cleaned. But yesterday I took the doors off, let them sit in vinegar-soaked rags for many hours, then scrubbed them with a wire scrubby brush and Comet.
They are better, but still somewhat milky-looking. Anything I can do over what I've already done, or are these doors just too old?
Thanks.
Try using a magic eraser they work great.
When you get them clear put some rainx or wax on the glass so the water will bead right off, just don't get it on the shower floor.
In the future, I wouldn't use wire.... it may actually scratch the glass. Another alternative would be to use one of the green scotch-brite type scrubby pads.
Vinegar does help cut through the calcium buildup, but another product you could use is CLR.... (stands for Calcium, Lime, Rust remover) ... it is usually in a green bottle.
And.... it may take a while, but every time you use the shower, spray it down with some vinegar. That will help continue to cut through the calcium build-up. You can also use something like "Shower to Shower", but it will also take a long time. Just get in the habit of spraying it down with either vinegar or shower to shower after each use.
Also... many shower doors and walls are intentionally foggy...... they are made that way to keep people from seeing in so clearly.
IME, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser cleans EVERYTHING!
I recently bought a bottle of clorox spray tub cleaner and was amazed at how easily it ate through the soap scum and hard water residue in my shower.
IF that does not work you could try a product like lime away.
I would use a Magic Eraser.
You might have left them too long in the vinegar and taken off any coating it might have had.
I get my shower doors clean and clear with a vinegar/dishsoap mix, which I spray on, let sit for a few minutes, then use a terry cloth or magic eraser to wipe before rinsing.
The Comet and wire brush may have caused permanent cloudiness by damaging the doors with fine scratches.
I use a cleaner with natural citric acid. My shower door is 52 years old and it still comes clean. vinegar and plain cleaners don't touch it.
I'm sure the scrubbing has damaged them now. Wire scratches glass. I green scrubber with the Comet would have even damaged the surface of the glass.
I do believe they are too far gone. Perhaps you can clear them up with an actual glass cleaner that cuts scum like Lime Away or another caustic cleaner.
Something that may work is borax mixed in hot water with a bit of dish soap and bleach, scrub on and let set in a bit, scrub again and rinse completely with white vinegar and warm water.
